Hartford, Ala. (February 14, 2012) - In Defense of Animals (IDA), an
international animal protection organization, is warning the public that
the Liebling Brothers Circus (Great American Family Circus), performing
in Hartford and Andalusia, Alabama this week on February 15 and 16, has
been formally charged by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with
numerous violations of the Animal Welfare Act for inhumane treatment and
dangerous handling of wild animals, including an elephant and a spider
monkey.

"IDA applauds the U.S. Department of Agriculture for taking
action against the Liebling Brothers Circus to protect the
animals and the public," said IDA Elephant Campaign Director
Catherine Doyle. "It's time this circus was held accountable for
its flagrant mistreatment of animals, and for subjecting the
public to unnecessary risk."

IDA has been monitoring this circus and its owner Hugo Liebel for
several years and has filed multiple complaints with the USDA for
willful violations of the Animal Welfare Act that endangered the
animals and families attending the circus.

The USDA charges include repeated noncompliance with federal
requirements for veterinary care, handling, and housing from 2007
through 2011, the possible penalties for which are fines and
suspension or revocation of Liebel's license to exhibit animals. The
charges specifically cite the escape of a spider monkey, failure to
provide veterinary care for the elephant Nosey's chronic skin
condition and weight loss, chaining Nosey so tightly that she could
not move, and handling her in a way that was dangerous to the
public.

"If families don't want to support animal cruelty, they should
not attend the Liebling Brothers Circus," said Doyle. "Any circus
using wild animals should be avoided because of the inherent
cruelty involved in
forcing them to travel and perform." ###

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection
organization located in San Rafael, Calif. dedicated to protecting
animals' rights, welfare, and habitat through education, outreach, and
our hands-on rescue facilities in India, Africa, and rural Mississippi.